Adjustable clamp device for rope and the like



Dec. 29, Q P ssEK ADJUSTABLE CLAMP fiEVICE FOR ROPE AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG: I.

INVENTOR:

- ORNEYS.

il qeorya 6. PMs/57:,

Dec. 29, 1936. e. c. PASSEK 2,066,049

ADJUSTABLE CLAMP DEVICE FOR ROPE AND THE LIKE I Filed Dec. 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: 600175 6. Passzk,

TORNEYS.

WI TNESSES- 5Q Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE CLAMP DEVICE FOR ROPE AND THE LIKE George C. Passek, Hellertown, Pa.

Application December 12, 1935, Serial No. 54,030

11 Claims.

' My invention is directed toward the provision of a clamp device of the kind referred to which is simple and inexpensive in construction; which is easy to adjust; and which resists displacement in adjusted positions when the rope, cord or cable :1 is subjected to tension or strain.

. indicated by the arrows II-II in Fig. I.

Fig. III is a cross sectional view taken as indicated by the arrows III-III in Figs. I and II.

Figs. IV and V are views corresponding respectively to Figs. I and II showing an alternative embodiment of my invention.

Figs. VI and VII are views corresponding to Figs. II and III showing another alternative embodiment of my invention; and

Fig. VIII is a view like Fig; VI showing how 5 adjustments are made to take up the slack in the rope.

Referring in greater detail first to Figs. I-III of these illustrations, the form of clamp device there shown comprises an integral block I which 0 is of flat circular configuration with spaced unidirectional passages 2and3 through it, one of these passages serving for a strand exemplified as a rope R and the other for a loop retroversion I R of said rope. The passage 2, it will be noted,

1.1 is angularly offset outwardly relative to the center ofthe block I; while the-passage 3 is straight. Extending crosswise of the" passages 2 and 3 in the same plane with the latter is another pas- ,sage or bore 4 which extends diametrically through the block I and which contains a floating clamp element in the form of a pin 5 whereof the end 6 is rounded andprojects into the passage .2. to engagethe rope or cable R, and whereof the other end. is roughened as at l for flag-capacity to effectively .grip the retroversion R ..50 pin when thedevice is removed from the rope.

In the use of the device, the. loop L in the rope R is engaged about a fixture, here indicated as a post P. As the rope R is tensioned or stressed in the direction of the arrow in Figs. I and II,

55 the outwardly-deflected portion of the rope within the passage 2 tends to straighten, and thereby urges the pin 5 endwise in its guideway 4 toward the retroverted portion R of the rope in the passage 3 as shown in Fig. II to clamp it and thereby prevent displacement of the block I. The block I may be slidin either direction along the rope R, this being permitted through slacking'of the diverted portion of the rope in the passage 2 and consequent easement of the pressure of the pin 5 upon the retroversion of the rope R in the passage 3. Taking up of the slack in the rope merely entails pulling on the loose end R when the pin 5 will yield to upward displacement in the block I to allow reeving of the rope through the passage 2 with the post P acting as adirectional guide. The operation of the deviceis thus quick and sure with avoidance of annoying entanglements as when complicated knots are employed as ordinarily in securing ropes. With the device once adjusted it is immune against disturbance under pull or strain upon the rope by the effective clamping action of the pin 5.

In the alternative embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. IV and ,V, the block la is centrally split, i. e. formed with two counterpart sections respectively designated Ill and I I which are rigidly connected by a pair of screws I2. Jointly, the two block sections I0 and II afford substantially uni-directional spaced passages 2a and 3a for the rope R and the loop retroversion R thereof. As in the first embodiment, a floating member in the form of a pin 5a capable of free movement in a conformative receiving guideway 4a at the center of the block la, constitutes the clamp member, the rounded end 611 of said pin projecting into the outwardly-offset passage 2a and the roughened end la thereof into the passage 3a. In this instance, the retaining pin 5a is formed with lateral projections 8a which engage retaining slots 911 respectively in the block components I0 and Il.

The alternative embodiment of my invention .illustrated in Figs. VI, VII and VIII comprises a block lb with an internal circular hollow which is open to the exterior at diametrically opposite points. Disposed within the hollow of the block Ib is a rotatively floating clamp or wedge element 5b which serves to set apart the passages 2b and 3b respectively for the rope R and the loop retroversion R thereof and which is provided with toothed or otherwise roughened edges lb for gripping both the rope and its retroversion. As shown, the block Ib is made in two parts lllb, I lb which are secured together by an axial screw I 2b, the floating clamp element 5b being provided with a relatively large clearance opening 91) so as not to be restrained in its floating action by said screw.

As tension or strain is placed on the rope R in the direction indicated in Fig. VI, clockwise movement is induced in the clamp element 5?) with the result that both said rope and its retroversion R are effectively engaged by the roughened edges 1b and clamped against the inner surfaces of the block lb to hold the latter against displacement on the rope. 7

To adjust the rope, the block lb may be slid in either direction along the rope R as suggested in Fig. VIII incident to which said rope tends to turn the clamp element 5b in one direction while the retroversion R tends to rotate it in the opposite direction. The clamp element thus assumes a neutral position without inducing any restraint to the movement of the block i b along the rope.

If desired, or found convenient in practice, the

components or sections [0b and Nb of the block lb may be made .as counterparts like the block components Ill and i l of Figs. IV and V.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. An adjusting device for rope and the; like operative in the mannerdescribed, comprising an integrally-formed block with spaced uni-directional passages therethrough respectively for'the rope and a loop retroversion thereof; and a clamp element .in the form of a pin free to slide endwise in a crosswise guideway within the block, said pin having a rounded end projecting into the rope passage .so as to be engagedby the rope, and a roughened end adapted to penetrate the retroversionof the rope inthe other passage.

'2. An adjusting device for'rope and the like operative after the manner described, comprising a block with spaced uni-directional passages therethrough respectively for the rope and a loop retroversion thereof, the rope passage being centrally offset outwardly; and a clamp element .in the form of a pin free to slide endwise in a crosswise guideway within the block, said pin having a rounded end projectinginto'the outward oifset of the rope passagefor engagement by the rope, and a roughened end adapted to penetrate the retroverted portion of the rope in the other passage.

' 3. An adjusting device for rope and the like operative in .themanner described, comprising a a block with spaced uni-directional passages therethrough respectively for a rope and aloop retroversion'thereof; a clamp element "in the form of a pin free to slide endwiseiin a guideway extending crosswise of said passage in the same plane therewith and open at the exterior of the block, said pin having a rounded endproje'cting into the rope passage so. as to be engaged by therope;

' and a roughened end adapted to penetrate the retroversion of the rope in the'other passage;

and means for retaining the clamp pin in the block. a v v v l o 4. An-adjusting. device for rope and the like roperative'in themanner described; comprising a block with spaced uni-directional passages therethrough respectively for .a rope anda loop retro- I version thereof; aclampelement in the form of a pin free to slide endwise in a guidewayextending crosswise of said passage in the same plane and a lateral projection on the clamp pin engaging a retaining slot in the block.

5. An adjusting device for rope and the like operative in the manner described, comprising a block with spaced uni-directional passages therethrough respectively for a rope and a loop retroversion thereof; a clamp element in the form of a pin free to slide endwise in a guideway extending crosswise of said passage in the same plane therewith and open at the 'exterior'of the block,

' said pin having a rounded end projecting into the rope passage so as to be engaged by the rope, and a roughened end adapted to penetrate the retroversion of the rope in the other passage; and a retaining member fixed in the block and passing through a longitudinal slot in said clamp pin.

6. An adjusting device for rope and the like operative in the manner described, comprising a centrally-split block with counterpart components jointly afiording'uni-directional passages through said block for a rope anda loopiretroversion thereof; and a floating clamp element in the form of a pin free to slide endwisein acrosswise guideway within the block, said pin having a rounded end projecting into the rope passage so as to be engaged by the rope, and; a roughened end adapted to penetrate the retroversiongof 'the rope in the other passage. v

'7. An adjusting devicefi 'or rope and the like operative in the manner described; comprising a split block with spaced-=uni-directional passage therethrough respectively for the rope and aloop retroversion thereof; j a floating clamp element in the form of a pin freetoslide endwise in aguldesame plane'therewith and open at the eirterior of the block, said pin having a rounded end projecting into the rope passage so asto be engaged by the rope, and a roughened' end adapted to,

penetrate the retroversion -01 the rope in the other passage; means forsecuringtogether the components of the'block; 'anda retaining member anchored in the block and 'emending-transversely internally of 'the'block between the passages; and

means to determinela directional component'of movement of the floatingclamp element-transversely of the passages in'cidentto tensioning of the rope.-- 1

9. An adjusting device'for ropeand the like" comprising a block with an open hollow extending through it; and a clamp element of elliptic configuration with rope-engaging edges, said element setting apart within the hollow of the block, spaced passages for the rope and a loop retroversion thereof, and having :thecapacity to rotatively that so thatitsposition mavibecontrolled' by the rope passing through the block.

10. An adjusting device for rope 'and'the like comprisingra' block with a circular hollow open to the exterior at 'diame'trically-opposite points; and a'clamp element of elliptic configuration with roughened rope-engaging edges, 'f said element setting apart spaced channels respectively for the rope and'a loop retroversion thereof and having the capacity toflrotative'ly floati'wlth its major axisin line with the open ends of said hollow so that its position may be controlled by the rope passing throughthe block; 7

11. An adjusting device .for :rope andithelike 35 way extending crosswise of said passages inithecomprising a split block with an open hollow extending through it; a clamp element of elliptic configuration with roughened rope engaging edges, said element setting apart spaced channels respectively for the rope and a loop retroversion thereof and having the capacity to rotatively float with its major axis in line with said hollow so that its position may be controlled by the rope passing through said block; and a securing means for the block components extending through a clearance opening in said clamp element.

GEORGE C. PASSEK. 

